Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1887-12-16
CROCIFISSA'S LACE.

| nhil.et chllVu flhtlcO. III mas church, an
the few strangers who visit the quiet littl
nook and enter the humble sanctuary wonde
at the handsome lace decorating the Madon
mas blue silk petticoat. All the rest OF tn
ornamentation is so tawdry and poor that tn
delicate fabric looks strangely out Of place
How came II therei is a question the Oh,
woman who unlocks the door is proud u
answer.
Amy and had put up for the hottest sum
mer weeks at the barn like old post inn a
Piatico. Often during our walks through tn,
chestnut woods, or up the steep paths OF tn,
mountainside, we met tall, slim girl Of Is
with strikingly beautiful dark eyes, which
haunted us by reason Of their extreme sad
ness. She wore a slimp gown OF homespun
Its original color matter OF conjecture only
her well modelled feet were bare, and she wa,
Usually In charge Of seven sheep and one little
lame black lamb Sometimes we saw her
sitting under tree knitting an interminable
blue stocking-for other feet than her own
evidently-while the sheep grazed Or, In
the open field, in the pouring rain, this ghost
like girl would sit on the soaking ground
huddled under an old green umbrella--this to
restrain a neighbors COW, getting her supps
OF grass, from invading an adjacent cabbage
patch. The girl always gave us a gracioua
Good day as she passed, and seemed pleased
when Amy smiled at her in return.
who is shei" we inquired Of the mistr~ap
Of our inn.
You mean the girl who drives the sheep
with a lame black lamb among themT an
swered our hostess. THAT is Crocifssa, poor
girl, the convict's daughter Hers is a hard
10 -k,,- a..
on roses assure you. Her father, Santlru,
has a bad history, and the shadow Of il dark.
ems the girls lifen
"Oh tell it, cried Amy, dropping down
upon a stool beside the comfortable looking
old dame;
at is soon told, signora; the story Of most
sins is short; il is the misery Of them that
drags on YEARLY. When Sandro was
young he killed a man in passion OF jeal-
ousy-a woman at the bottom Of the affair.
of course-stabbed him from behind in the
dark, and threw him down into the Lima 20
drown II the wound was not deep enough 10
give him his death. They were year or
more fastening the murder upon Sandro, but
he confessed IL at last over glass too many
OF Chianti. He was sentenced for twenty
years TO prison and hard labor When his
time was out, strangely enough, he chose TO
come back here 10 Piatico: and, stranger
still, he found a woman foolish enough 10
marry him, knowing all about his crime
This poor, weak thing died when Crocifissa
was born, and the child's life has been ~
wretchei it seems a pity she did not die
too"
Are they 50 very poor7
"Miserably: and because Of the fathers
disgrace everybody shuns the daughter
Cruel, isn't III But that is the way OF the
world. should make one exception when |
gay every one turns the cold shoulder upon
her. Perhaps the Saddest part Of Crocifissa's
history is that she has lover whom she can
scarcely ever hope to marry"
us he 50 poor, toof'
"Dio milo! yes. His name is Reno, a very
good fellow, but no luck. He makes little
money with his donkey, carrying fruit and
vegetables 70 the hotel at AbetOne, but he
has blind old mother 10 help, and he can
save nothing. Crocifissa earns a few francs
spinning and knitting stockings, and the
profits from the sheep put a scanty supply of
bread in the mouths Of the convict and bis
daughter and keep a crazy roof over then
heads. Crocifisss can make beautiful lace |
but she hurts her eyes at it, and doctor told |
her she would 20 blind If she made any |
more |
"She has such lovely eyes" said Amy, en-. |
YES; with bit Of happiness 10 brighten |
per she would be the prettiest girl in these
parts. A. II is, her good looks are little use
poor thngm
Cant Reno hit upon more paying bust |
ness than donkey driving ask
He wishes to 20 down to the Maremma,
where he would get good wages and be able |
10 put by little, but Crocifissa will not hear
n il. She is right, think, for Reno is not
'trong, and the marsh fever would lie sure TO
AIRY him off. Few people have been kind
% the girl and no dog ever loved his master
Is CrocifiSsa loves Reno
Poor girl! what pity they cannot make
zach other happy
IF they had little capital. 200 or 300
rancs, 10 hire and furnish a room, they
'ould manage TO live: but 100 franc pieces
10 not fall from the clouds"
Life at Piatico being dull and bare Of Incl
lent, We felt much interested in Crocidssas
tory, and cultivated her acquaintance upon
very occasion. She gave US flowers and
FERRIES gathered in pretty little baskets i'm
,roviSed by herself from chestnut leaves
nd with her eyes bent shyly on her knitting.
alked to Us Of her simple, uneventful life.
When Reno, her lover, was under discussion,
which was frequently the case. Crocifissa's
lrge eyes glowed with "A soft, happy light,
nd she became beautiful. But the bright
ess vanished again quickly at memory Of
he sordid misery cncompassing them both.
low we longed 10 be able to give the poor
irl the paltry sum which would change her
ull surroundings into paradise.
One morning, as we sat sketching on the
row of the hill, CrOcifiSSa timidly approached
$, carrying small package under her arm.
his she unwrappcd disclosing about four
ards Of unusually beautiful lace, six inches
r more wide. was not much of connois
EUR in such things, but could recognize the
nusual merit of this piece.
"Why, CrociiiS,a," ! exclaimed, "where
i'll you get such price
II made il, she answered, modcstly, Sat I
le Convent of La SperanZa, where | waited
n the nuns for five or six years They taught
le 10 make IL, but | can't see to do. any
lOren
But, child, why don't you sell this lace 1t
'ould help you II long step toward buying
lrniture and marrying Reno"
Alas, Signora, | have often tried, but no
ody will buy IT, The nuns say it is worth q l
reat deal OF money, perhaps fifty francs but
shall never find any one willing TO give that
IN, and would let it go for much less"
She, OF course, wished us to make some low
Ter for the lace, but knew il would be "A
reat wrong to the girl To allow her 10 sacrl.